The Heisei era saw the birth of countless masterpieces, with many works achieving million-selling hits.
Thanks in part to revival hits, many songs from the Heisei era continue to be listened to and passed down even as times change.
In this article, we’ll carefully select and introduce some of the coolest tracks from Heisei-era hit songs!
We’ve gathered a variety of cool songs, including classics from bands that represent Japan, tracks from blockbuster films, and songs that leave you feeling refreshed.
You might even find a song that fired you up back in the Heisei days!
Whether you’re from the heart of that generation or new to these tunes, give them a listen and get pumped!
- Heisei Song Collection: Iconic Hits That Colored the ’90s and 2000s
- Emotional songs from the Heisei era. Nostalgic tracks that really hit you.
- Heisei-era masterpieces. Hit songs that represent the Heisei period.
- An energizing song that was a hit in the 2000s—a classic that gives you strength.
- Just listening will lift your spirits! Energetic and cheer-up songs that defined the Heisei era.
- A collection of nostalgic hits from the Heisei era: Let’s look back at iconic songs from the 1990s and 2000s.
- [Heisei Songs] Classic hits from the Heisei era that are popular on Instagram Reels
- Songs that hype you up just by listening—recommended tracks from timeless classics to the latest releases
- From emotional tracks to exhilarating tunes! Heisei-era youth songs
- From rock numbers to dance tunes! Cool songs of the Reiwa era
- Guaranteed to make you want to dance! Dance tracks that defined the Heisei era
- A revival hit driven by social media! Heisei-era masterpieces that are resonating with Gen Z today
- A Must-See for the Heisei Generation: Nostalgic Songs That Were Popular in the Heisei Era
Cool songs of the Heisei era: hit tracks that energized the times (1–10)
SaudadePorunogurafiti
As a single by Porno Graffitti, this song became their first million seller, has been covered by various artists, and has long been cherished as one of their signature tracks.
The title means something like “nostalgia” in Portuguese, which perfectly matches the sound that strongly evokes a Latin atmosphere.
The powerful sound, brimming with passion, conveys the flare-up of love and a sense of strong determination.
Although the lyrics depict emotional changes that accompany heartbreak and a kind of loneliness, when paired with the energetic sound, they evoke a positive, forward-looking image.
TemptationGLAY
Formed in Hakodate, Hokkaido, GLAY is a band that set numerous records in the music scene of the Heisei era, and this is one of their signature songs.
It features an aggressive, hard band sound with the vibe of a visual-kei band, layered with sweet vocals—an impressive combination.
As the title suggests, the lyrics portray the emotional fluctuations that come with love, conveying a sensual mood tinged with heartache.
It’s also a song that strongly conveys a resolve to live honestly in love, cast away anxiety, and move forward.
migratory bird[Alexandros]
![migratory bird[Alexandros]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/O_DLtVuiqhI/sddefault.jpg)
In addition to being featured as the theme song for the film “Akegarasu,” this track is one of [Alexandros]’s signature songs, beloved across a wide range of uses such as commercials and sports themes.
Its standout quality is the bright, uplifting atmosphere—when the chorus hits, it feels as if your field of vision opens up, conveying a sense of positivity and lightness.
Amid the driving band sound, the acoustic guitar lines add a warm, gentle accent.
Incorporating imagery of a flock of migratory birds heading into the distance, the song conveys a forward-looking spirit that expresses bonds with friends and a determination to move toward the future.
frecklesJUDY AND MARY
This single, which can be considered one of JUDY AND MARY’s signature songs, was a million-seller.
It was used as the opening theme for the anime Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Swordsman Romantic Story, and it helped the band become known across a wide range of generations.
With its straightforward, almost aggressive band sound and YUKI’s powerful, resonant high notes, it conveys a distinctly bright and uplifting mood.
The cute lyrics, which depict various emotions tied to love, are also memorable, and the song carries an energy that feels like it blows away the heartache of romance.
You don’t listen to rock.aimyon
It’s one of the songs that helped spread Aimyon’s name—a singer-songwriter known for powerful, message-rich lyrics with a touch of folk influence—and it stands as one of her signature tracks.
The gentle sound centered on acoustic guitar seems to highlight her vocals and lyrics.
The words portray episodes of love and the ebb and flow of various emotions, leaving a bittersweet impression.
It expresses the pain of the gap between the person she wants to reach and who she is, along with a strong resolve to keep moving forward little by little despite that struggle.
Perfect-Sense DreamerONE OK ROCK
It’s a song that could be called one of ONE OK ROCK’s signature tracks, letting you feel the power to carve out the future.
The sound conveys a forward-leaning sense of speed, and the structure that builds momentum toward the chorus is striking.
The lyrics portray a kind of determination to open up the future, evoking an image of facing the anxieties within and then moving forward with eyes ahead.
The scream-like vocals also strongly convey a reckless drive to push on, radiating energy aimed at the future.
In 2020, they released “Kanzen Zaitaku Dreamer” (Fully At-Home Dreamer), a video edited together from footage filmed individually at their homes, which drew renewed attention.
AutomaticUtada Hikaru
Utada Hikaru’s debut single stylishly expresses the feeling of overflowing love that can’t be contained just by being near someone.
It portrays the pure emotions of waiting for the phone to ring and the sense of relief that comes from hearing the other person’s voice, vividly capturing the complex heart of a girl in love, where joy and anxiety intertwine.
Released in December 1998, the song was used as the ending theme for the variety show “Warau Inu no Seikatsu – YARANEVA!! -” and quickly became a social phenomenon, achieving double-million sales.
The gals of the time surely resonated with its raw, authentic emotions.